Full Breakdown
Tragedy at a Ganesh Pandal: Electrocution Claims Two Lives in Mumbai
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
In the early hours of September 20, 2026, a short-circuit near the entrance of the Mahaganpati Utsav Mandal in Kalachowki, Mumbai, sent current through a temporary drinking-water and cold-drink stall. Six people were rushed to hospitals; two were declared dead on arrival—eight-year-old Raghini Ghanshyam Yadav at Masina Hospital and a 33-year-old woman identified as Sujata at Global Hospital. The others—Kiran Akbar Naik (19), Tanvi Naresh Hande (19), Sahil Sandip Tare (19) and Ruhi Singh (12)—were hospitalized with injuries ranging from stable to critical. Fire-brigade personnel switched off the power and cordoned the area.
Background & Context
The accident occurred during Mumbai’s 12-day Ganesh festival, which began on September 14 and runs until September 25. Temporary electrical installations, including a meter (M217392) and lighting for the pandal and stall, are routinely set up for the crowds attending idol immersion processions.
Data & Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 2 (Raghini Ghanshyam Yadav, 8; Sujata, 33) |
| Injured (hospitalised) | 4 (Kiran Akbar Naik, 19; Tanvi Naresh Hande, 19; Sahil Sandip Tare, 19; Ruhi Singh, 12) |
| Hospitals used | Masina Hospital (5 patients) and Global Hospital (1 patient) |
| Time of incident | Approximately 2:20 a.m. |
| Electrical equipment involved | Temporary meter M217392; wiring and miniature circuit breaker later found disconnected |
Official Statements & Responses
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said fire-brigade personnel cut the supply and cordoned the site.
- BEST officials inspected the stall, confirming the temporary meter and its wiring had been disconnected before the shock. A BEST fuseman and a meter inspector were present.
- Mumbai police opened an investigation into the source of the current and the condition of the temporary installation.
- The fire brigade received the emergency call at 2:42 a.m. and dispatched rescue teams.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You are seating so many Ganpati idols, but there is no safety arrangement,” — Raghini Ghanshyam Yadav
What’s Next
Police and BEST continue to investigate the electrical setup and the circumstances that led to the short circuit. Findings are expected to inform safety guidelines for temporary installations at future festival events.